Cable exit trough with insert

Abstract

A cable exit trough defining an insert aperture for receiving a modular cable management inserts. The modular insert providing an additional cable management device such as a curved guidewall. The cable management device may alternatively be fixed to the cable exit trough. Removable snap-mounted flanges may also be included in the exit trough. The exit trough may also include an exit cover having a cover plate and a pivot plate hingedly mounted thereto for easy access to the trough.

1. A cable routing system, comprising:
 a.) a lateral trough section, the lateral trough section including an upstanding side having a substantially uniform height and terminating at a top edge, the lateral trough section defining a cable pathway; and 
 b.) a cable exit assembly releasably mounted to the lateral trough section, the cable exit assembly including:
 i.) a curved cable supporting surface that defines a cable exit pathway leading away from the cable pathway when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section such that a user is permitted to route a cable over the upstanding side, the cable supporting surface being curved so as not to violate a minimum cable bend radius, wherein the curved cable supporting surface defines an aperture; and 
 ii.) an insert positionable within the aperture of the curved cable supporting surface, the insert including a first surface extending upward relative to the curved cable supporting surface when the insert is positioned within the aperture, the first surface assisting in routing cables within the cable exit pathway. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable exit assembly is releasably mounted to the lateral trough section without cutting the upstanding side of the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     3. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a first tab that secures the insert within the aperture. 
   
   
     4. The cable routing system of  claim 3 , wherein the insert includes a second tab, and wherein the first and second tabs extend below and are accessible underneath the cable supporting surface when the insert is positioned within the aperture. 
   
   
     5. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is defined by a guidewall extending generally in the direction of the cable exit pathway. 
   
   
     6. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , the cable exit assembly further including a cover having a cover surface over the cable exit pathway. 
   
   
     7. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , further including two side surfaces adjacent opposite side portions of the curved cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     8. The cable routing system of  claim 7 , wherein the two side surfaces are integrally formed with the cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     9. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a second surface that is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the first surface extends upward from the second surface. 
   
   
     10. The cable routing system of  claim 9 , wherein the second surface is curved and has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     11. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is curved. 
   
   
     12. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface divides at least a portion of the cable exit pathway. 
   
   
     13. The cable routing system of  claim 7 , wherein the first surface is substantially parallel to an adjacent portion of either of the two side surfaces. 
   
   
     14. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable supporting surface extends from a point within the lateral trough section to a point outside the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     15. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable exit assembly includes first and second flanges substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the upstanding side when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     16. The cable routing system of  claim 7 , wherein the two side surfaces include curved portions that assist in defining the cable exit pathway. 
   
   
     17. The cable routing system of  claim 7 , wherein the cable supporting surface includes a substantially vertical portion outside the lateral trough section, and wherein the two side surfaces are adjacent opposite sides of the substantially vertical portion of the cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     18. The cable routing system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable routing system includes at least one additional surface positioned over a bottom surface of the lateral trough section and spaced from the cable supporting surface to allow cables to pass between the at least one additional surface and the cable supporting surface when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     19. The cable routing system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one additional surface is a downwardly depending flange spaced from the cable supporting surface by a curved lead-in surface. 
   
   
     20. A cable routing system, comprising:
 a.) a lateral trough section defining a cable pathway, the lateral trough section including an upstanding side having a substantially uniform height and terminating at a top edge; and 
 b.) a cable exit assembly releasably mounted to the lateral trough section, the cable exit assembly including:
 i.) a curved bottom surface defining an exit pathway leading from a point adjacent the top edge away from the cable pathway when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section, wherein a cable passes over the top edge of the lateral trough section when routed in the exit pathway, the curved bottom surface defining an aperture for receiving an insert; and 
 ii.) a cover positioned over at least a portion of the bottom surface, wherein when the cover is positioned over the bottom surface the cable exit assembly includes first and second side surfaces positioned adjacent opposite sides of the bottom surface. 
 
 
   
   
     21. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein the cable exit assembly is releasably mounted to the lateral trough section without cutting the upstanding side of the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     22. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , further including an insert positioned within the aperture, the insert including a first surface, wherein when the insert is positioned within the aperture the first surface extends upward relative to the curved bottom surface at an intermediate position between the first and second side surfaces. 
   
   
     23. The cable routing system of  claim 22 , wherein the insert includes a first tab that secures the insert within the aperture. 
   
   
     24. The cable routing system of  claim 23 , wherein the insert includes a second tab, and wherein the first and second tabs extend below and are accessible underneath the bottom surface when the insert is positioned within the aperture. 
   
   
     25. The cable routing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first surface is defined by a guidewall extending generally in the direction of the exit pathway. 
   
   
     26. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second side surfaces are integrally formed with the bottom surface. 
   
   
     27. The cable routing system of  claim 22 , wherein the insert includes a second surface that is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the first surface extends upward from the second surface. 
   
   
     28. The cable routing system of  claim 27 , wherein the second surface is curved and has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the bottom surface. 
   
   
     29. The cable routing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first surface is curved. 
   
   
     30. The cable routing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first surface divides at least a portion of the exit pathway. 
   
   
     31. The cable routing system of  claim 22 , wherein the first surface is substantially parallel to an adjacent portion of either of the first or second side surfaces. 
   
   
     32. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein the bottom surface extends from a point within the lateral trough section to a point outside the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     33. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein the cable exit assembly includes first and second flanges substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the upstanding side when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     34. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second side surfaces includes a curved portion. 
   
   
     35. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein the bottom surface includes a substantially vertical portion outside the lateral trough section, and wherein the first and second side surfaces are adjacent opposite sides of the substantially vertical portion of the bottom surface. 
   
   
     36. The cable routing system of  claim 20 , wherein the cable routing system includes at least one additional surface positioned over a bottom surface of the lateral trough section and spaced from the bottom surface of the cable exit assembly to allow cables to pass between the at least one additional surface and the cable exit assembly bottom surface when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     37. The cable routing system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one additional surface is a downwardly depending flange spaced from the bottom surface by a curved lead-in surface. 
   
   
     38. A cable routing system, comprising:
 a.) a cable exit component mountable to a lateral trough section, the lateral trough section defining a cable pathway and having an upstanding side of substantially uniform height and terminating at a top edge, the cable exit component releasably mountable to the lateral trough section, the cable exit component including a curved cable supporting surface defining an exit pathway, wherein when the cable exit component is mounted to the lateral trough section the exit pathway extends transversely over the upstanding side of the lateral trough section; and 
 b.) a guidewall extending upward relative to the cable supporting surface and oriented generally in the direction of the exit pathway, the guidewall being spaced inwardly from a side portion of the curved cable supporting surface; 
 c.) wherein the curved cable supporting surface defines an aperture, and wherein the cable routing system further includes an insert positioned within the aperture, and wherein the guidewall is formed on the insert. 
 
   
   
     39. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the cable exit component is releasably mountable to the lateral trough section without cutting the upstanding side of the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     40. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , further including a lateral trough section, the lateral trough section including an upstanding side having a substantially uniform height and terminating at a top edge, the lateral trough section defining a cable pathway. 
   
   
     41. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the insert includes a first tab that secures the insert within the aperture. 
   
   
     42. The cable routing system of  claim 41 , wherein the insert includes a second tab, and wherein the first and second tabs extend below and are accessible underneath the cable supporting surface when the insert is positioned within the aperture. 
   
   
     43. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , further including a cover having a cover surface over the exit pathway. 
   
   
     44. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , further including two side surfaces adjacent opposite side portions of the curved cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     45. The cable routing system of  claim 44 , wherein the two side surfaces are integrally formed on the cable exit component. 
   
   
     46. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the insert includes a base surface that is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the guidewall extends upward from the base surface. 
   
   
     47. The cable routing system of  claim 46 , wherein the base surface is curved and has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     48. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the guidewall is curved. 
   
   
     49. The cable routing system of  claim 44 , wherein the guidewall is substantially parallel to an adjacent portion of either of two side surfaces. 
   
   
     50. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the cable supporting surface extends from a point within the lateral trough section to a point outside the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     51. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the cable exit component includes first and second flanges substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the upstanding side when the cable exit component is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     52. The cable routing system of  claim 44 , wherein each of the two side surfaces includes a curved portion that assists in defining the exit pathway. 
   
   
     53. The cable routing system of  claim 44 , wherein the cable supporting surface includes a substantially vertical portion outside the lateral trough section, and wherein the two side surfaces are adjacent opposite sides of the substantially vertical portion of the cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     54. The cable routing system of  claim 38 , wherein the cable routing system includes at least one additional surface positioned over a bottom surface of the lateral trough section and spaced from the cable supporting surface to allow cables to pass between the at least one additional surface and the cable supporting surface when the cable exit component is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     55. The cable routing system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one additional surface is a downwardly depending flange spaced from the cable supporting surface by a curved lead-in surface. 
   
   
     56. A cable routing system, comprising:
 a.) a lateral trough section, the lateral trough section including an upstanding side having a substantially uniform height and terminating at a top edge; and 
 b.) a cable exit assembly including:
 i.) a curved bottom surface that defines an exit pathway for routing a plurality of cables over the top edge, the bottom surface sufficiently curved so as not to violate a minimum cable bend radius, the bottom surface including a first curved portion leading upwardly with respect to the lateral trough section and a second curved portion leading downwardly with respect to the lateral trough section; 
 ii.) two side surfaces positioned adjacent opposite sides of the bottom surface; and 
 iii.) a first surface positioned between the two side surfaces to assist in routing cables within the cable exit assembly; 
 
 c.) wherein the curved bottom surface defines an aperture, and wherein the cable routing system further includes an insert positioned within the aperture, and wherein the first surface is formed on the insert. 
 
   
   
     57. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the cable exit assembly is releasably mounted to the lateral trough section without cutting the upstanding side of the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     58. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the insert includes a first tab that secures the insert within the aperture. 
   
   
     59. The cable routing system of  claim 58 , wherein the insert includes a second tab, and wherein the first and second tabs extend below and are accessible underneath the bottom surface when the insert is positioned within the aperture. 
   
   
     60. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the first surface is defined by a guidewall extending generally in the direction of the exit pathway. 
   
   
     61. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , the cable exit assembly further including a cover having a cover surface over the exit pathway. 
   
   
     62. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the two side surfaces are integrally formed with the bottom surface. 
   
   
     63. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the insert includes a second surface that is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the first surface extends upward from the second surface. 
   
   
     64. The cable routing system of  claim 63 , wherein the second surface is curved and has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the bottom surface. 
   
   
     65. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the first surface is curved. 
   
   
     66. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the first surface is substantially parallel to an adjacent portion of either of two side surfaces. 
   
   
     67. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the bottom surface extends from a point within the lateral trough section to a point outside the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     68. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the cable exit assembly includes first and second flanges substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the upstanding side when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     69. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein each of the two side surfaces includes a curved portion. 
   
   
     70. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the bottom surface includes a substantially vertical portion outside the lateral trough section, and wherein the two side surfaces are adjacent opposite sides of the substantially vertical portion of the bottom surface. 
   
   
     71. The cable routing system of  claim 56 , wherein the cable routing system includes at least one additional surface positioned over a bottom surface of the lateral trough section and spaced from the curved bottom surface of the cable exit assembly to allow cables to pass between the at least one additional surface and the bottom surface when the cable exit assembly is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     72. The cable routing system of  claim 71 , wherein the at least one additional surface is a downwardly depending flange spaced from the curved bottom surface by a curved lead-in surface. 
   
   
     73. A cable routing system, comprising:
 a.) a lateral trough section including an upstanding side having substantially uniform height and terminating at a top edge; 
 b.) a transitional cable routing component, the component being releasably mountable to the lateral trough section, the transitional cable routing component including a curved cable supporting surface defining an exit pathway extending from the top edge transversely away from the lateral trough section, the cable supporting surface being curved so as not to violate a minimum cable bend radius; and 
 c.) an insert mounted to the transitional cable routing component, the insert including a guidewall positioned within the exit pathway to divide at least a portion of the exit pathway; 
 d.) wherein the curved cable supporting surface defines an aperture, and wherein the insert is positioned within the aperture. 
 
   
   
     74. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the transitional cable routing component is releasably mountable to the lateral trough section without cutting the upstanding side of the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     75. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the insert includes a first tab that secures the insert within the aperture. 
   
   
     76. The cable routing system of  claim 75 , wherein the insert includes a second tab, and wherein the first and second tabs extend below and are accessible underneath the cable supporting surface when the insert is positioned within the aperture. 
   
   
     77. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the guidewall extends generally in the direction of the exit pathway. 
   
   
     78. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , further including a cover, the cover having a cover surface over the exit pathway. 
   
   
     79. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , further including two side surfaces adjacent opposite side portions of the curved cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     80. The cable routing system of  claim 79 , wherein the two side surfaces are integrally formed with the curved cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     81. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the insert includes a base surface that is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the guidewall extends upward from the base surface. 
   
   
     82. The cable routing system of  81 , wherein the base surface is curved and has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cable supporting surface. 
   
   
     83. The cable routing system of  73 , wherein the guidewall is curved. 
   
   
     84. The cable routing system of  claim 79 , wherein the guidewall is substantially parallel to an adjacent portion of either of the two side surfaces. 
   
   
     85. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the cable supporting surface extends from a point within the lateral trough section to a point outside the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     86. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the transitional cable routing component includes first and second flanges substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the upstanding side when the transitional cable routing component is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     87. The cable routing system of  claim 79 , wherein each of the two side surfaces includes a curved portion. 
   
   
     88. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the cable supporting surface includes a substantially vertical portion outside the lateral trough section, and wherein the two side surfaces are adjacent opposite sides of the substantially vertical portion. 
   
   
     89. The cable routing system of  claim 73 , wherein the cable routing system includes at least one additional surface positioned over a bottom surface of the lateral trough section and spaced from the curved cable supporting surface to allow cables to pass between the at least one additional surface and the cable supporting surface when the transitional cable routing component is mounted to the lateral trough section. 
   
   
     90. The cable routing system of  claim 89 , wherein the at least one additional surface is a downwardly depending flange spaced from the cable supporting surface by a curved lead-in surface.